Concerns have been expressed that refugees who have fled to Reading are facing homelessness despite their asylum claims finally being accepted.
People fleeing war and persecution have settled in Reading for many years, with the most recent arrivals coming from Afghanistan and Ukraine.
In most cases, asylum seekers are put in hotels by the government’s Home Office while their claims are processed.
However, concerns have been raised that families and individuals face homelessness soon after their claims are accepted.
The issue was raised by councillor Doug Cresswell (Green, Katesgrove) at a recent Reading Borough Council meeting. Cllr Cresswell said: “We are all proud of Reading as a City of Sanctuary.
“Can we be updated on the challenges faced in housing asylum seekers and refugees?
“Green councillors are concerned by reports suggesting that it is not uncommon to be granted refugee status and face immediate homelessness, with asylum protection measures falling away quicker than the welfare system steps up.
“While we still have a national government floating extreme right wing policies such as ‘British Homes for British People’, what can Reading Borough Council do to ensure that the needs of asylum seekers and refugees are met?”
His questions were answered by Ellie Emberson, lead councillor for housing, who said her team is currently dealing with 172 refugee and asylum seeker households.
Cllr Emberson (Labour, Coley) explained that once asylum claims are accepted, the council’s housing team will work with them to find suitable accommodation.
This has been made difficult as once claims are accepted, the asylum seekers are given a week’s notice to leave their hotel accommodation, rather than the previous period of 28 days.
Furthermore, as the majority of asylum seekers are single and under 35, they have no priority need for social housing.
An increasing number of asylum seekers are reporting as homeless, with eight people being homeless in the first half of 2023 rising to 29 people per month in the second half.
The people needing emergency accommodation rose from just two from January to June 2023 to 44 between July and December.
In more positive news, 230 people visited the council’s ‘Marketplace Information Event’ where they were given information about health and wellbeing, befriending and education as well as housing and employment.
Cllr Emberson said: “It should be noted that the team applies the relevant criteria to ensure those receiving assistance have a connection to Reading, and those who have accommodation and support networks in place elsewhere will not be supported if they can return to another area.
“It goes without saying however that the housing service and its staff are always compassionate and will often liaise with the appropriate local authority.”
In a jab at the Conservative government, cllr Emberson added: “I do not support the right-wing rhetoric on housing.”
The exchanges took place at the council’s housing, neighbourhoods and leisure committee on February 21.
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